25 Expert Tips for a Stylish Summer

Give Stylish Hostess Gifts

"I think you really have to think of where you're going and to whom you are bringing it. I love to give a book, or outdoor towels are a great gift for people who have a pool or live by the beach."
-ADAM LIPPES, Adam + Eve

Terrycloth beach towel, Chanel, $445; at select Chanel boutiques, 800-550-0005.

Buy Crisp, White Pants

"First, get a pair of white pants that are fitted but not so tight where you see any panty lines. Proper underwear for white trousers is key. It needs to be nude and without lines. White pants just look fresh."
-FREDDIE LEIBA, N.Y.C. stylist

Replace Flip-Flops with Flats

"Flats with a closed toe," answers designer Tory Burch when asked what she'll wear walking in the city this summer. "I'm not a big fan of walking on the street in flip-flops."

Audrey ballet flats, Tory Burch, $225; 714-689-0450.

Wear a Maxi Dress

"I like the look of a long, cotton print-dress from Etro, Tory Burch or Michael Kors. The look is a cross between Talitha Getty and American suburban. I would wear a flat sandal or bare feet at home because you want to be comfortable, not tripping around your house in high heels."
-VINCENT BOUCHER, stylist

Make Sure Your Cover-Up's as Chic as You

"This season's Stella McCartney white cotton oversize poet shirt is a great way to look totally updated at the beach. Throw it over a swimsuit to head into a restaurant."
-FREDDIE LEIBA

White shirt dress, Stella McCartney, $565; 310-273-7051.

Multi-Purpose Sunglasses

"I wear sunglasses on my head a lot, as if they were a headband. This way you won't lose them and they still stay functional."
-TORY BURCH

Stylish Weekend Wear

"The perfect casual weekend look is just-above-the-knee shorts-Phillip Lim did some fab silk ones with pleats-paired with a simple cotton tank. Sigerson Morrison patent-leather flats would look great with this look."
PENNY LOVELL, celebrity stylist

Reverse box-pleat shorts, Phillip Lim, $320; 305-864-0202 or 310-470-8781.

Add Jewelry (Not Makeup)

"Less makeup, more jewelry," says celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe about dressing up for summer. "Tan and a lot of makeup is not a good look, and red lipstick with a tan is so very Bad News Bears. Never."

Tall

"I just got white Anlo jeans with gold-button details. I know I will be wearing these all summer."
-SHOSHANNA LONSTEIN GRUSS, designer

Pascale jean in white, Anlo, $198;

intermixonline.com.

Keep Colors Neutral for Day

"People wear too many bright colors, and I'm a fan of bright colors! At night it's fun, but moving around in really bright colors during the day doesn't look fresh. You look much more polished in a neutral-subtle olive, gray-blue or clay colors.
-VINCENT BOUCHER

The Perfect Work Dress

"My summer work look is a black dress, a black shift. I have all sorts-just added an empire-waist cotton one from Marni and a fitted cotton sateen one from Miu Miu. I wear them with flats."
-ELIZABETH STEWART, L.A. stylist

Black dress with gold buttons, Shoshanna, $340; at Lord & Taylor.

The Biggest Mistake

"...people make in the summer is to either be overly casual or overly dressy. It is important to find a balance between comfortable and put-together. Shorts and tees need not be sloppy, and chic black dresses do not need heels!"
-EMILY CURRENT and MERITT ELLIOT, stylists

Pair Whites with Black

"Black!" say Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, about what to wear with white pants this summer. "A ruffled black satin top feels new. Or try pairing white pants with a white lace top and add a black belt or black beads and black shoes. It has an Edwardian influence and makes white pants feel romantic as opposed to sailor inspired."

Black short-sleeve top, Juicy Couture, $158; at Neiman Marcus.

Find a Great Bikini

"Hands down, my favorite suit is a Missoni. It looks almost too sexy to wear on the beach!"
-RACHEL ZOE, celebrity stylist

Viscose two-piece, Missoni, $400; 212-517-9582

Short Shorts Can Be Chic

"If you have great legs, wear a pair! See how chic Kate looks in shorts, a cardigan, strappy platforms and her Kelly bag."
-FREDDIE LEIBA, N.Y.C. stylist

Fear Not the Gladiator (Sandals)

"What makes this season's shorter hemlines look new are flat shoes," says Ken Downing. "The best of the bunch are gladiator sandals: They ground your look no matter how short you go."

Patent-leather sandals, Giuseppe Zanotti Design, $695; 212-792-4420.

Get Your Feet in Chic Shape

"White polish is summer's statement color-it looks good on everyone. Silver is sexy on feet; imagine a hint of metallic gleaming from peep-toe sandals."
- JOANNA CZECH, N.Y.C. manicurist

Essie nail polish in Loop-hole, $8;

essie.com for stores. OPI nail lacquer in Funny Bunny, $8; 800-341-9999 for stores.

Perfect Summer Hair is Imperfect

"In the summer hair shouldn't be too coiffed. With its random loose waves and messy part, Kate's hair is perfect in its imperfections."

- DAVID BABAII, L.A. stylist

Try a Print Dress

"A print dress is the best way to look effortless. An interesting pattern is most stylish on a very simple silhouette. Avant-garde shapes tend to look a bit fashion victim in high summer."
-SARAH EASLEY, co-owner, KIRNA ZABETE

Cotton dress, Piazza Sempione, $497; at Saks Fifth Avenue.

More Stylish Shoe Options

"In the heat, my favorite things to wear on my feet are either espadrilles or wedges, especially Brian Atwood's," says Rachel Zoe. "Plus a platform saves your feet when you're in the city."

Raffia wedges, Brian Atwood, $865;

brianatwood.com for stores.

Get an All-Over Glow

"When using bronzer, you don't want to stop at the face-or you'll get a line. These oversize compacts make it easy to blend the color from the face into the neck, shoulders and arms. Also use bronzer to even out areas where you didn't apply enough self-tanner."
-LESLIE LOPEZ, celebrity makeup artist

Clockwise from top: T.Le Clerc Terre d'Etae, $55;

barneys.com. Lancamp#244;me Bamboo bronzing powder, $45; lancome-usa.com. Smashbox Fusion bronzing body powder in Strip, $55; smashbox.com.

Look Into Lucite Jewelry

"Lucite accessories work so well in the summer when you've got a tan. And Lucite's so effortless to wear because it mixes easily with the season's metallic shoes and bags."
-SARAH EASLEY

Lucite necklaces, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel, $290 each;

leeangel.com.

Find a Little White Dress

"…with just enough romantic detail makes a major statement. And white is the perfect playground for colorful or metallic accessories."
- KEN DOWNING, fashion director, Neiman Marcus

Try a Skinny Belt

"For a fresh look, pair inky high-waist jeans with a white lace-trimmed tank and tie it up with a skinny belt."
-EMILY CURRENT and MERITT ELLIOTT

Patent-leather belts, BEampD, $175 each; 212-629-3242 or

beandd.com.

Another Summer Must-Have: the Low-Maintenance Dress

"My idea of a summer bargain is a gauzy linen dress. Roll it up in a ball-you can't wrinkle it enough-and toss it in your bag and go."
-RACHEL ZOE

Linen dress, Calypso Christiane Celle, $210; 212-585-0310.